We are still in chapter 31 of Genesis with our word for today. תְּרָפִים image, idol, small idol or figure that might be kept and worshipped in a person’s house. It is used 15 times in the Old Testament. God identifies the worship of idols as an abomination. 2 Kings 23:24 Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the הַתְּרָפִ֨ים household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. Notice that the reason why household gods were put away was so that God’s word could be established with the people. So we see idols are contradictory to God’s will for people. Idol worship was an alternative to listening to God’s instruction because people would think that idols were directing their life. This is what we see in Ezekiel 21:21 For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his תְּרָפִים idols, he will examine the liver. Zechariah 10:2 Theהַתְּרָפִ֣יםidols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
So clearly those who worship idols are like wandering sheep in need of a leaders direction. Not someone who is following God’s will for their life. And this is where we find Rachel today. Of all the things she would steal from her father she steals this house hold idol or god. This was probably because she was used to worshiping it in her home growing up under her father’s influence. This is the land God called Abraham to leave. And it could be because of the heavy influence of idol worship there which is what a reference in the book of Joshua suggests. Joshua 24:1-2 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. What is interesting is that Abraham’s father’s name תֶּ֛רַח is similar and sounds like our word today תְּרָפִים for idols or small house hold gods. Even though Rachel’s life has been influenced by idols taught to her by her father God is calling her and Jacob away from them just as he called Abraham away from them years before hand. I’ll close with this great reminder of how God calls us from worthless things to himself. 1 Peter 1:18-21 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
